First Division Commander Gigi Callaway
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Newsletter for May 2021 First Division Commander Gigi Callaway We are now in May and it is with hope that this newsletter finds all of you well. Many have had their vaccines; other had the virus and some had both. (It is hopeful that there is a light at the end of this tunnel.) However, if you are still recovering from the virus, our thoughts and prayers are with you. This is the month where we will begin to get back to some normality. It is also, the last month to get your membership in for 2020-2021 Legion year. It is our legacy – It is your legacy. All District and Post Commanders you have the final push to achieve goal. May is a busy month all of us; Mother’s Day, Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day just to name a few. This year, Armed Forces Day Dinner will be hosted by the 2nd Division on Saturday, April 15, 2021. (We rotate between 1st and 2nd Divisions; it is their year. The flier can be found herein and is open to all Legion Family.) Also, during Armed Forces week, American Legion National Commander will be traveling throughout the state. The plan is for Commander Oxford to visit the new Chicago Veterans’ Home, present a gift from the American Legion for future residents and then attend the Department Armed Forces and Awards Dinner, for 1st Division’s awardees, guests, and members, on Thursday. Congratulations to all award winners! Memorial Day has been planned by most posts. It reminds me as we see some changes in this great land of ours; it is the following that some may not understand. (If you do and most of us will understand.) Memorial Day is a focus for all of us. It should not have to be said that it is a day for remembering, that is what Memorial Day is about. We do not say happy Memorial Day or go to a
sale. There is nothing happy about those that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
Nor do we make it cheap by thinking about a sale. It is a day of giving our
respect. We ensure that the cemeteries, where those fallen brothers and sister
are laid to rest, have flags firmly planted in the ground. It is a day when we
speak of the actions that they bravely made so that we may have the freedoms
of today. We plan for Memorial Day ceremonies so that folks hear the 21-gun
salute given for our fallen and then silence at the first note of Taps. We speak to
remember. We speak to ensure Americans remember.
Last month, we had the 2nd Annual Veterans Ball, which was a huge success.
It was a pleasure to have Department SVC Fischer and his wife in attendance.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Bernie Darmetko and Commander Anthony
Sicilliano, both had worked tirelessly on this event. We are grateful to Post 974
Franklin Park in getting more than one table for this event. Additional
appreciation to Orland Memorial Post 111 and 3rd District on getting a full table
for this event. Also, appreciation to all those individuals that assisted in the
event, “Thank You”. This year, as part of our outreach committee (an initiative
that was introduced at Department training a year and half ago), was achieved
at the event which was the inclusion of two other veterans’ organizations.
Lastly, Posts’ delegates plan on the mini convention on June 5th. Legionnaires,
plan on attending Department of Illinois’ State Convention July 14, 2021 – July
17, 2021. Make this happen for your POST! Here is the link to all items of the
STATE Convention: https://www.illegion.org/event/department-convention
Semper Fortis
For God, Family, Country & Warm Regards
Gigi Callaway
First Division Jr. Vice Commander Thomas Chambers
For those members who did not go to the Veteran’s Ball, you all missed out on
a great meal and good camaraderie.
The end of the fiscal year is nearing. Post Officers, do a BUDDY CHECK on
your unpaid members. See if they are OK. We still have time to get their dues
in.
Get your reservations in for the state convention. It is definitely a go for this
year. Hope to see every one there.
I am still looking for donations for the hospitality room. POP, BEER, WINE,
LIQUOR, CONDIMENTS, SNACKS, UTENSILS, FLATWARE, NAPKINS,
PAPER TOWELS, CUPS, SUGAR, CREAMER, SALT, PEPPER, ETC.,TIN
PANS, STENOS, SERVING/WARMER SET, misc. AND ALWAYS CASH.
May 13th the National Commander will be at Post #335
May 15th will be a dinner for the National Commander hosted by the 2nd
Division.
June 5th is the Mini-Convention at Evergreen Park Post #854
9701 S. Kedzie ave. Evergreen Park, IL
8:00 am for coffee and the meeting starts at 9:00am sharp.
Post Everlastings will be in May. Make sure you turn in all missing members
names at your ceremony, for the last 2 years.
If your post is doing school awards, contact the schools to see if it is virtual or
not. Some posts are giving the awards to the principle to hand out this year.
Think about next year, All programs to be considered are the ORATORICAL
CONTEST, BOYS STATE, SCHOOL AWARDS, Put AMERICAN LEGION
CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION WEEK on the post calendar if you have not
done so yet.
Tom Chambers
VA&R Chairman and Service Officer of the First Division
Raymond P. Toczek
With the COVID crisis getting better and better each day, and with more people
receiving the vaccine, the VA Chicago office is slowly reopening. Those
veterans wishing to make an appointment may call 312-980-4470.
The American Legion Office has not yet replaced the two full-time service
officers they lost, but Department is actively looking. In the meantime, our office
remains closed but those wishing to call us directly may do so at 312-980-4266.
Leave a voicemail message and someone will get back to you as soon as
possible.
All of us have learned something from this lockdown. I would like to take this
issue to share some of what I observed.
Too many people are living from paycheck to paycheck. Rainy day savings are
rare. Look at all those behind in their mortgage payments or rents. I’m old
school and my parents taught me to try and have at least six months of savings
set aside for emergencies. If possible, and within your means, have six months
set aside for these occasions.
Appreciate your family and other gatherings next time you get together. Sure,
there will be minor arguments over politics or other topics, but at least you are
together again with humans. When your Post reopens for meetings, talk to
someone you don’t know. Even if uncomfortable, remember the months of
isolation you just went through.
Think about your mortality. COVID has taught most of us that life is fleeting and
one day we are here, the next day we could be gone. If your Post has an active
chaplain, reach out to them for comfort.
Check your voicemail more often. Friends and relatives, who you seldom hear
from, may be trying to reach you and since you may not recognize their
number, you didn’t answer it.
Don’t be a hoarder but remember the shortages we experienced. Maybe a one-
two month supply of canned goods and toilet paper is a good idea.
And finally, there are many non-profit groups that are really hurting. If you have
been blessed and can afford it, make some extra donations. My favorites,
during this time, have been food pantries, homeless shelters, and the Red
Cross, just to name a few.
Sorry I strayed from my normal article content but wanted to share some of my
thoughts.
There is only one thing more painful than learning from experience and this
is not learning from experience.
Ray Toczek
OFFICER CONTACT INFORMATION
COMMANDER: JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER:
GIGI CALLAWAY THOMAS CHAMBERS
Phone: (224) 800 - 1177 Phone: (224) 800 - 1177
Email: ILLfirstdivision@gmail.com Email: ILLfirstdivision@gmail.com
DIVISION ADJUTANT: Finance Officer & Aide to Commander
HAROLD DILLARD BERNARD DARMETKO
Phone: (773) 450-3099 Phone: (708) 860 - 1897
Email: ce1sgtaf@att.net Email: bcdarmetko@comcast.net
SERVICE OFFICER: Medical Officer & Aide to Commander
RAYMOND TOCZEK DR. DON HORN
Phone: (312) 980 – 4264 Historian & Special Adviser
Email: Raymond.toczek@va.gov WILLIAM COOPER
Goal – 100 % Posts as of 2021 Close of Books
Fantastic - Congratulations- Awesome!
Post 47 Harold A. Taylor at 100% Post 87 George L. Giles at 100.64%
Post 108 Rogers Park at 101.4% Post 130 Cameron-Butler at 100.0%
Post 131 Chicago Heights at 103.3% Post 166 Joseph M. Sesterhenn at 100.0%
Post 183 Portage Park at 100% Post 236 Elvin J. Carey Post at 120.5%
Post 272 Fred Schweitzer at 106.0% Post 335 River Grove at 103.5%
Post 388 South Shore at 100% Post 398 Hazel Crest at 100.0%
Post 473 Lincoln Square at 100.0% Post 474 Rehfeldt-Meyer at 105%
Post 478 Verna L Jones Post at 101.8% Post 488 Riverside at 111.8%
Post 500 Bellwood Post at 117.4% Post 525 Mount Prospect at 106.9%
Post 555 Jackson Park at 100.0% 623 Paul Revere at 118.2%
Post 687 Stickney at 100% Post 691 Milton W Mager Memorial at
104.2%
Post 698 Archer-Highland at 100.0% Post 716 Gen. George Bell Jr. at 114.3%
Post 740 Olivia J Hooker at 100.0% Post 757 Green Oaks at 100.0%
Post 769 Electric at 100.0% Post 800 LTC Charles J Blackwood, Sr at
144.1%
Post 828 Markham Manor at 111.1% Post 829 Col. John R. Marshall 100.0%
Post 838 John H. Shelton at 127% Post 943 Iwaszuk-Cetwinski at 103.8%
Post 990 Posen at 100.0% Post 1003 Chinatown at 125%
Post 1139 East Hazel Crest at 102.9% Post 1238 South Deering at 103.3%
Post 1259 Sauk Village at 100.0% Post 1263 Norridge at 100%
Post 1437 Col. A. L. Brodie at 104.5% Post 1976 Richard J. Daley 111.8%
1987 Harold Washington at 126.2% Post 1993 Palos Memorial Post at
103.8%
Post 2017 Millennium at 107.4% Post 2020 South Arlington Heights at
100.0%
Congratulations to 3rd District Congratulation to 8th District
First in State Fifth in State
Would you like to see your Post listed So would we
here?
May 13 National Commander will be at Post #335
8664 Grand Ave, River Grove, IL 60171
May 15 Dinner for the National Commander hosted by the 2nd Division.
Jun 5 Mini Convention at Evergreen Park Post #854, 9701 S Kedzie
Ave, Evergreen Park, IL 60805
Coffee at 8am with the meeting starting at 9am sharp.
August 8 Picnic at Cantigny Military Museum
Tentatively planned for August 8, 2021, Family event. Details:
Forthcoming Attire: Casual
Fall 2021 Turkey Shoot:
Family event. Details: Forthcoming Attire: Casual
The junior officers challenged the senior officers at an Air Force Base in North Carolina to see who
would donate the most blood.
After trying several times to locate a vein in the left arm of a young first lieutenant, the medical
technician applied a Band-Aid, and then inserted a needle into the right arm, drawing blood this time,
and then put a Band-Aid on that arm as well.
As he left the collection facility, the lieutenant passed a colonel. Noting the two bandages, he looked
at the first lieutenant and shook his head, saying, "I knew you young guys would find some way to
cheat."
2021 Convention Information
The 102nd Annual Department of Illinois Convention
1st Division will be at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel Springfield
(A Doubletree by Hilton)
701 E. Adams Springfield, IL. 62701 217/544-8800
1st Division Hospitality Suite will remain at Wyndham Springfield
(across the street from Abraham Lincoln Hotel Springfield)
700 E. Adams Springfield, IL
National Convention
The American Legion’s 102nd National Convention will take place in Phoenix,
Arizona, August 27 – September 2, 2021. Illinois’ hotel is Hyatt (602.252.1234)
122 North Second Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 www.phoenix.regency.hyatt.com
1st Division meeting on April 7, 2021
William McKinley Post 231, 1954 W. 35th St., Chicago
Photos contributed by Dale Tippett
3rd District Jr. Vice Ernest Kelley
Viet Nam Navy Veteran
(in wheelchair)
Transitioned to Post Everlasting not
long after this meeting.
The Illinois American Legion First Division is Proud to Host
Armed Forces Day Dinner
Thursday, May 13, 2021
TO BE HELD AT RIVER GROVE LEGION POST 335
8664 W. GRAND AVE., RIVER GROVE, IL 60171
Key Note Speaker
National Commander
James W. “Bill” Oxford
Social Hour starts at 5:00 pm
Dinner to follow at 6:00 pm (Entree choice of sausage or beef; no preselection needed)
$10.00 Per Person—Please R.S.V.P NO LATER THAN MAY 4, 2021!
Tickets will be available for pickup at the door.
Questions? Contact Lorenzo Fiorentino at: (708) 606-0742 or lorenzoafiorentino@yahoo.com
Reservation Name: g
Phone:( ) Post# District# h
Amount Enclosed: $ 1
Checks to be made payable to: American Legion River Grove Post 335
Mail reservations to Lorenzo Fiorentino 8664 W. Grand Ave., River Grove, IL
60171
The Veteran’s Ball photos below are courtesy of Anthony Siciliano
First Division, Cook County Council Non-Profit Org.
The American Legion, U.S. Postage
Department of Illinois PAID
828 N. Roy Ave, Melrose Park, IL 60164 Bloomington, IL
Permit No. 18
PLEASE LET OUR WEBMASTER, JOHN LOS, KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY
CHANGES IN HALL RENTAL INFORMATION POSTED ON OUR
WEBSITE
Chief Editor: Gigi Callaway
If you would have any issues or concerns about the newsletter, please feel free
to contact: Shepherd K. S. Bishop – Managing Editor
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